Japanese companies may wait to invest in clean energy technology until the government determines renewable energy tariffs and a framework for deregulating the nation’s power industry, long monopolized by regional utilities.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan heads a party that has stumbled in the polls, jettisoned the previous leader and may lose its upper-house majority on July 11. His strategy to lure voters: suggest they pay higher taxes.

Yukio Hatoyama overturned half a century of one-party politics when he led his Democratic Party of Japan to power nine months ago. Yesterday he showed he’s much like his predecessors by becoming the fourth premier in three years to resign.

Tokiko Shimizu , the Bank of Japan’s first female branch chief, says the country’s tendency to shield women from responsibility is what’s holding many back. At 45, the youngest among 32 regional heads, she is bucking the trend.